Demountable insulator for lamp hangers



April 1937- A. J. THOMPSON 2,076,187

DEMOUNTABLE INSULATOR FOR LAMP HANGERS Filed March 29, 1934 V. INVENOR ALLISON J. THOMPSON A Tommi;

Patented Apr. 6, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE HANG ERS

Allison J. Thompson, Cleveland, Ohio Application March 29,

2 Claims.

This invention relates to lamp hanger structures of the type comprising complementary fixed and movable lamp hanger members having cooperative contactors, the fixed hanger 5 member being adapted to be secured on a ceiling or the like, the movable hanger member being adapted to carry a luminaire and being removably mounted on said fixed hanger member, the cooperative contacts being arranged and wired 0 to supply electric current to the luminaire by Way of the fixed hanger member when the movable hanger member is mounted thereon, and to disconnect the luminaire when the movable hanger is demounted, as for cleaning or replac- 15 ing the luminaire.

Lamp hanger structure of such general character is disclosed in my Patent No. 1,858,908, of May 17, 1932, which shows a form of demountable contactor arranged for the lower lamp hanger member, and illustrates the state of the art over which this application represents an improvement, the object of the present invention being to provide an improved removable contactor mounting for the movable hanger member. More specifically the objects of this invention are to provide that such contactor be easily and simply demountable and mountable upon its hanger member by means having ample strength and cheaply produced for the purpose, and providing ample insulation of the contactor from the hanger member when'mounted. Still more particularly an object is to provide positive positioning of the contactor when mounted.

The exact nature of this invention together with further objects and advantages thereof will be apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, in which Fig. 1 is a view in elevation showing a contactor assembly mounted on its lamp hanger, pertinent parts of the latter appearing, partly as broken away to show details of construction; Fig. 2 is an elevation view taken as from the near side of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a plan view of parts appearing in Figs. 1 and 2 but showing the insulator-securing gate as in open position; and Fig. 4 is a bottom View of parts appearing in Figs. 1 and 2; wiring appearing in Figs. 1 and 2, but for simplicity being omitted from Figs. 3 and 4.

With reference now to the drawing, I represents the body part of the movable lamp hanger member, which is of cast iron or the like, generally cylindrical as indicated, and having laterally extending therefrom adjacent one end, an integral flange part 2 which may be of uniform thickness, and is divided as indicated in Figs. 3

Cal

1934, Serial No. 717,992

and 4, to provide an approximately semi-circular recess, the flange 2 being thus in the form of a yoke.

A gate of curved form, generally indicated at 3, is provided, having forked end parts 4 and a web part 5 therebetween. The end parts 4 of the gate, as are those of the flange 2, are perforated as at 6, each to receive a cotter pin 1 or the like so that the gate 3 may be mounted upon the flange 2 at both ends, as indicated in Figs. 1, 2 and 4; the forked ends of the gate receiving the end parts of the flange 2 and the openings 6 being suitably located for the purpose. It will be evident that the gate 3 is thus securely mounted upon the hanger member I when in closed position, as indicated in Figs. 1, 2 and 4 whereas by removal of one of the pins 1 the gate may be swung to an open position as by a hinge connection as indicated in Fig. 3. The web part 5 of the gate is so located that when the gate is in closed position, the web part will just clear the circle defined by the recess of the flange 2 of the hanger member I, as indicated in Fig. 4. The thickness of the web part 5 of the gate is the same as that of the flange 2, so that when the gate is closed its web part together with the flange 2 defines an annulus.

8 represents a contactor element, preferably of copper or the like, and 9 an insulator of porcelain or the like. The contactor 8 is mounted on the insulator 9 as by a bolt l0 and nut II, the insulator having a through opening to receive the bolt, and the contactor being recessed to receive the head of the bolt which is preferably of screw form, as indicated in Fig. 2. The insulator 9 is generally cylindrical concentric about its bolt-receiving opening. It is recessed at its lower end to receive the nut II and the recess opens outwardly as indicated in Figs. 2 and 4, to permit a convenient lead-ofi of the wire I2, by which electrical connection is had for the contactor 8.

The insulator 9 is provided with an annular groove as indicated, to accommodate the described recess in the yoke flange 2 so that when the insulator is seated, it is supported positively, positioned by interengagement of the flange 2 in the annular insulator groove. The web or flange part 5 of the gate 3 is adapted to enter this insulator groove when in closed position as indicated in Fig. 4, effectively completing the circle defined by the substantially semi-circular recess in the flange 2. The curved members 4 of the gate embrace the insulator above and below its groove as indicated in Figs. 2 and 4.

The flange 2 as at the top of the body part I of the hanger member, and the insulator above its groove, is completely circular in transverse section. The parts are so proportioned and arranged, however, that the axis of the insulator when seated, is too close to the body part I to permit a complete circular section of th insulator below its groove. The insulator is, therefore, deformed as indicated in Figs. 1 and 4 to clear the hanger body part, the interengagement of these parts preventing rotation of the insulator about its axis when mounted, so that the cut away part shown in Figs. 2 and 4, which permits access to the bolt l0 for the wire 12, will always be properly positioned, opening outwardly of the hanger member.

Operation will be apparent. The contactor 8 is mounted by the bolt II] on the insulator and the connection of the Wiring !2 made while all of these parts are removed from the hanger member, so that their manipulation for this purpose is most convenient. After completion of the assembly including the wiring connection, the assembled contactor unit is simply positioned in its seat as indicated in Fig. 3, the gate 3 having previously been secured at one end as by the pin 1 there shown. Thereafter the gate is closed and its other end secured as in Figs. 1, 2 and 4.

Thus all of the wiring of the luminaire, or whatever else is to be carried by the hanger member I, and including the corresponding contactors 8, may be completed before assembly of the resulting wired unit upon the hanger.

Similarly such unit may be removed and replaced with equal facility.

What I claim is:

1. Means for removably mounting a contactor on a lamp hanger member comprising a generally cylindrical insulator carrying said contactor, said hanger member having a body and flange means providing a seat for positioning and supporting said insulator closely adjacent said body, said hanger member body and said insulator having abutting parts cooperable to maintain the insulator against turning when seated, said abutting parts including a substantial lateral concavity on said insulator into which said hanger member body extends, and gate means mounted on said flange for removably maintaining said insulator so seated.

2. Means for removably mounting a contactor on a lamp hanger member comprising a generally cylindrical insulator carrying said contactor and having a laterally extending end recess to receive a wire connection for said contactor, said insulator having an annular groove, means on said hanger member providing a seat for positioning and supporting said insulator closely adjacent said hanger member, with said recess directed from said member, said means including flange means projecting into said insulator groove, and gate means mounted on said hanger member for maintaining said insulator so seated, said insulator having a concavity fitting an adjacent convex part of said hanger member, whereby when mounted,.said contactor may be disposed more closely adjacent said hanger member, and said recess direction will be maintained.

ALLISON J. THOMPSON. 

